Victor Lui’s 80th birthday was the hook for the three-generation family trip
It all began when Hong Kong-born Victor Lui and his wife Alice Lui were visiting their daughter Camillia and son George and their spouses and children in California during the Covid-19 pandemic, in October 2022.
“That was such a difficult time for us as a family, being so far apart with all kinds of travel restrictions,” Victor recalls. “We spent a lot of time thinking about some amazing family adventures we could look forward to.”
While scanning the internet for a potentially memorable travel experience together, the family hit upon the idea of a premium yacht charter experience. It would be one with plenty of bells and whistles, as it would be a celebration for Victor’s 80th birthday.
The whole family group had already experienced cruises over the years. Victor had been a part of his parents’ family cruise holiday to Alaska, and he continued that tradition with his children.
George Lui and his family on the charter
Victor and Alice have also enjoyed cruises to various destinations as a couple. But a private charter completely tailored to their own specific wants seemed perfect for the special birthday holiday.
Neither Victor nor any other member of the family had previously tried a yacht charter or heard too much about the concept. Victor decided, and his family all agreed, that such a customised charter plan would be the trip of a lifetime.
DECIDING ON THE DESTINATION AND CHARTER COMPANY
As a family project, the adults of the reunion in the US discussed ideas on where would best suit the three generations that started from grandchildren ranging between eight and 13 years old.
“George suggested to go to Europe, somewhere nice around the Mediterranean,” Victor recalls. “We had been to Rome but not to that southern part of Italy that’s well known for its natural beauty. We looked into it online together, all huddled around our screens, and the area around Amalfi really did look amazing – but then, so did many places.”
View from the clifftops of Sorrento, one of the shore visits; Photos: Emran Yousof / Unsplash
With the approximate Mediterranean destination in mind, the next step was to find a suitable charter company.
“I wanted to use an international one with a good reputation,” Victor says. “So, after we did a lot of searching, George and I thought Fraser looked great. We read good comments online about their services and people’s chartering experiences with the company. I also noticed they had an office in Hong Kong.
“My birthday was a year ahead of this idea, and so I thought it would be ideal to discuss details face to face with Fraser and then hopefully make a booking in my home town.”
While in California, George contacted Fraser Asia, recalls Laura Verbrugge, Sales Manager of Fraser Asia, the regional branch of the international superyacht brokerage house.
“George told me about it being a trip for his father’s 80th birthday and that there should be a nice party for that, along with the general idea of a charter in southern Italy,” Verbrugge explains.
The family’s charter itinerary map, custom arranged by Fraser Asia
Asked for her advice, Verbrugge recommended that for a first private charter in Europe, the family should cruise the Amalfi coast. She then started to build a few different itineraries with them, giving them the chance to discuss it and make a selection.
“To get an idea about their hopes for the one-week charter, George and I had initial discussions on the types of interests the family had and whether we should include historical sights, such as the Pompeii ruins. We discussed marine activities, the type of yacht they might like, and a lot about the family’s preferences and needs.
“George also told me he was the only family member with some boating experience, as he had previously owned a sailing yacht. However, he also mentioned he had been seasick on European cruises the family did together, so I suggested we reduce island-hopping and other on-water excursions during their charter.”
After initial consultation emails to sketch out the rough parameters of the charter, Victor called the Fraser Asia office following his return to Hong Kong, setting up a face-to-face meeting.
“I was surprised to hear a French voice, speaking English on the phone,” Victor says, with a smile. “It was Laura. I went to the Fraser office in Aberdeen to find out more about of her recommendations.
Capri was another destination added to the itinerary; Photo: Alessio Maffeis / Unsplash
“After that, the service we had from Fraser was great. They took care of so many details. Laura even visited us at our home when more convenient for us. She booked flights for us all to arrive in Italy – reaching there from different time zones – and noted what kind of food we preferred, booked restaurants for us and so on.”
THE SOUTHERN ITALY CHARTER
The family of 10 landed in Milan in the summer of 2023, initially stayed at Lake Como and then flew on to Naples, where the charter trip started.
Given George’s previous ‘sea legs’ comments, Verbrugge chose a yacht with a stabiliser and made sure that cruising between each mooring was limited to three hours. There were a lot of breaks between cruising for swimming, snorkelling or jetskiing off remote beaches and sea caves.
The yacht itself was the 43m (141ft 1in) Behike, a grand four-deck, five-cabin motoryacht by CRN. Toys included paddleboards, iAqua SeaDart water scooters and a host of towable pursuits that could be enjoyed with the help of the yacht’s 45-knot tender.
Fraser Asia arranged the 43m CRN Behike for the family’s Med charter; Photo: Fraser
Outdoor spaces were abundant, allowing for whole-family fun and for privacy for individuals or small groups. These included spaces up on the sundeck, which had a bar and sunlounger area, as well as on the bow loungers, and in an alfresco Jacuzzi.
“There were also great meals and shopping in Capri,” recalls Victor, when asked about some of his outstanding moments during the charter. “Sorrento, with its beautiful high cliffs, was a place I wanted to see, and it really was amazing.
“When we were moored off Capri, we had a good view of the very large yacht belonging to Jeff Bezos nearby, and saw a helicopter land on its helipad. It was later reported that the arriving guest was Bill Gates. So close by to us!”
Docking at Marina Grande in Capri harbour allowed a special onboard party for Victor – arranged by Fraser – with the chef cooking up a storm, and the crew pulling out all the stops, and corks, in celebration of his 80th birthday.
Victor with his grandchildren on his 80th birthday in Capri
“Fireworks were going up into the air and Laura had arranged a photographer who took photos of it all,” Victor says.
Camillia, Victor’s daughter, adds her memories of the trip. “It was such a pleasure seeing the children so happy on the yacht. The kids were in the water a lot – all the cousins enjoying time together within the safety of the swimming net, trying boogie boards, hover boards and jetskiing,” she says.
“They absolutely loved tubing – that was their favourite activity – as well as having fun playing games and enjoying watching TV shows and movies on the many different TV screens in different rooms on the boat.”
Victor and Alice also enjoyed their master suite, the kids playing the piano in the saloon, and the serenity of breakfast on deck at 7am.
Victor and his wife Alice, flanked by children George and Camillia, plus their families
“I made a list of restaurants for the family for lunches onshore and booked two for them,” says Verbrugge. “During the charter, I was in touch with them as often as they wanted me to be.
“They were fairly easy about food, so the chef – one of the crew of nine – cooked a lot of Mediterranean dishes, some Japanese and some fusion cuisine. Victor told me that the lamb dishes the chef cooked were his favourite, along with the ‘perfect steaks’.”
Camillia adds: “The boat was beautiful and had space for all of us to enjoy it and feel comfortable – from the sundeck area to the other open areas, as well as the bedrooms. The crew members were very hospitable and helped us with anything we needed. They were knowledgeable and friendly, which added a lot to our experience.
“The options to go onshore allowed us time to explore and learn about coastal cities and towns. The whole experience suited everyone from an eight-year-old to an 80-year-old and all those in-between.”
George and his wife enjoy the party dinner
After the cruise was over and the families were back in their respective homes, Verbrugge delivered a photo album of that special party the family had enjoyed in Capri, to Victor’s delight.
CHARTER WHETS THE APPETITE FOR MORE
So, would the family like to go yacht chartering again, after that Fraser Asia experience, and if so where would the dream destinations be?
“Yes,” Victor answers enthusiastically, before the question could be fully asked. “To Croatia, for Alice’s 80th birthday, in 2028.”
Camillia is also very interested in more of the same, or similar. “Yes. We would be interested in going to Croatia, Greece, France, Spain and Portugal.”
Victor plans to celebrate Alice’s 80th birthday in 2028
This Southern Italy charter, as custom-arranged by Fraser Asia, has likely instilled some new holiday habits within this extended family.
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